Two forms of self-criticism mediate differently the shame–psychopathological symptoms link
(2017) In Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 90(1). p.44-54- Abstract
Objectives: This study explored the relation between external shame, two types of self-criticism, and depressive, anxious and stress symptoms, in a clinical sample. Specifically, we set out to test whether the impact of external shame on such symptoms would be mediated by two forms of self-criticism. Method: A total of 279 patients (228 female and 51 male; mean age of 28.58) with axis I and II disorders recruited from several outpatients psychiatric services in Portugal completed the Other as Shamer Scale (OAS), the Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42). Results: Self-criticism mediated in part the shame–psychopathological symptoms link, especially... (More)
Objectives: This study explored the relation between external shame, two types of self-criticism, and depressive, anxious and stress symptoms, in a clinical sample. Specifically, we set out to test whether the impact of external shame on such symptoms would be mediated by two forms of self-criticism. Method: A total of 279 patients (228 female and 51 male; mean age of 28.58) with axis I and II disorders recruited from several outpatients psychiatric services in Portugal completed the Other as Shamer Scale (OAS), the Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42). Results: Self-criticism mediated in part the shame–psychopathological symptoms link, especially the hated self form. The alternative model where shame mediates the link between self-criticism and psychopathological symptoms was also significant. This result suggests that fear of being devalued in the minds of others has a significant impact on people's psychological well-being, and this effect can be partially explained by self-criticism. Conclusions: This study highlights that inadequate self and hated self are separable types of self-criticism, because they show different patterns of association with psychopathology. Shame and self-criticism appear to mutually enhance one another, and both are associated with psychopathological symptoms. External shame and self-criticism should be a target in treatment. Practitioner points: External shame and self-criticism are associated with depressive, anxious, and stress symptoms, in a clinical sample. Self-criticism, especially hatred for the self, mediates the shame–psychopathological symptoms link. Shame and self-criticism should be addressed in therapeutic interventions targeting the reduction of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms.
(Less)
- author
- Castilho, Paula ; Pinto-Gouveia, José and Duarte, Joana LU
- publishing date
- 2017-03-01
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- clinical sample, depression, anxiety and stress, external shame, self-criticism
- in
- Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice
- volume
- 90
- issue
- 1
- pages
- 11 pages
- publisher
- British Psychological Society
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:27249062
- scopus:84973345575
- ISSN
- 1476-0835
- DOI
- 10.1111/papt.12094
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- no
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © 2016 The British Psychological Society
- id
- 28a2f15f-61ce-414b-ad00-591c346cd6bc
- date added to LUP
- 2021-11-18 12:53:11
- date last changed
- 2024-07-13 23:41:04
@article{28a2f15f-61ce-414b-ad00-591c346cd6bc,
abstract = {{<p>Objectives: This study explored the relation between external shame, two types of self-criticism, and depressive, anxious and stress symptoms, in a clinical sample. Specifically, we set out to test whether the impact of external shame on such symptoms would be mediated by two forms of self-criticism. Method: A total of 279 patients (228 female and 51 male; mean age of 28.58) with axis I and II disorders recruited from several outpatients psychiatric services in Portugal completed the Other as Shamer Scale (OAS), the Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42). Results: Self-criticism mediated in part the shame–psychopathological symptoms link, especially the hated self form. The alternative model where shame mediates the link between self-criticism and psychopathological symptoms was also significant. This result suggests that fear of being devalued in the minds of others has a significant impact on people's psychological well-being, and this effect can be partially explained by self-criticism. Conclusions: This study highlights that inadequate self and hated self are separable types of self-criticism, because they show different patterns of association with psychopathology. Shame and self-criticism appear to mutually enhance one another, and both are associated with psychopathological symptoms. External shame and self-criticism should be a target in treatment. Practitioner points: External shame and self-criticism are associated with depressive, anxious, and stress symptoms, in a clinical sample. Self-criticism, especially hatred for the self, mediates the shame–psychopathological symptoms link. Shame and self-criticism should be addressed in therapeutic interventions targeting the reduction of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms.</p>}},
author = {{Castilho, Paula and Pinto-Gouveia, José and Duarte, Joana}},
issn = {{1476-0835}},
keywords = {{clinical sample; depression, anxiety and stress; external shame; self-criticism}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{03}},
number = {{1}},
pages = {{44--54}},
publisher = {{British Psychological Society}},
series = {{Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice}},
title = {{Two forms of self-criticism mediate differently the shame–psychopathological symptoms link}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/papt.12094}},
doi = {{10.1111/papt.12094}},
volume = {{90}},
year = {{2017}},
}